Shortest Route To "King" Is A Straight Line
Rules for any game are designed by its creator to dictate how it should be played. Take Checkers, for example. To play this game you need to adhere to the rules of Checkers as you navigate the board. In effect, you are bound by the rules that have been set for you. Fortunately, not many endeavors in life are bound by these "rules". We have the freedom of "thinking outside the box".
What does it mean for us?
Thinking back to Checkers for a second. The rules dictate that once you reach the last row of the opposing side you earn the privilege of moving like a "king", i.e., moving forward and backward across as many tiles as you want. In life, we are all striving to get to that proverbial last row, where we are elevated to a position where we can move without restriction, right? So, why is it that we, who are not bound by any rules like in Checkers, move as if we must conform to some strict guidelines and limitations?
Why aren't we more committed to "thinking outside the box"? Simply put, we need to break the rules. This is not a call to anarchy. On the contrary, it is a call to innovate. On a Checkerboard, the shortest route to "kingship" is 6 squares, a straight line. The problem is, with Checker rules, you must zigzag to reach your goal so it's impossible to make it in 6 moves. Why do we live our life following Checker rules? In any discipline, we are confronted by rules dictated by people who don't know us, care about us, or consider our circumstances or ability. When they created these rules, they had to disregard the status quo and chart their own "straight line" to success. Their attempt at this has become guidelines for us, and few challenges it. Isn't it time we found our own innovative path to the last row? Is your life, your future, your success something to be dictated by someone you don't know, don't care about, and who doesn't have a vested interest in your potential? I think not. Then why are you seeking their validation? We have worked within the parameters set for us long enough to know what it seeks to accomplish, so why don't we chart our own course? Why don't we "break the rules"?
How do we break the rules?
Creativity! Innovation!
This is not a new concept, but it is a daunting one and few dare accept the challenge.
For inspiration, look no further than Dalai Lama who encourages us to "know the rules well, if you want to break them effectively".
Go shorten your route to "king", others will follow!